Sponsored conferences

In India drug companies are the major sponsors of local, state and national medical conferences, paying speakers and their travel and accommodation costs, as well as individual registration fees for certain doctors.

We approached a chemist’s shop and obtained the prescriptions written over one month by four physicians in this area. Three of the four, who are known to be sponsored by a particular drug company on various tours, turned out to be major prescribers of this company’s products. The fourth physician, who prescribed cheaper products, is not invited to such functions at all. Further, this doctor has been ostracised by his own colleagues.

Few doctors raise their voices against sponsorship by drug companies. Sponsorship is flourishing like a disease, particularly in cities. The industry must have its wings clipped.